Integration using the fundamental theorem of calculus

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on finding a function g such that the integral from 0 to x² of tg(t) dt equals x² + x. The user initially derived the equation 2x³g(x²) = 2x + 1 but recognized an error in their solution. The correct approach involves substituting g(x) directly into the integral rather than g(x²). The final insight suggests substituting u = x² to simplify the problem and find g(u), which is equivalent to g(x).

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trulyfalse
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Hello PF.

Homework Statement


Find a function g such that

\int_0^{x^2} \ tg(t) \, \mathrm{d}t = x^2+x

Homework Equations



From the fundamental theorem of calculus:

f(x) = \frac{d}{dx}\int_a^x \ f(t) \, \mathrm{d}t

The Attempt at a Solution



After taking the derivative of both sides of the equation:

\frac{d}{dx}\int_0^{x^2} \ tg(t) \, \mathrm{d}t = 2x+1

Thus, from the fundamental theorem and chain rule,

(2x)(x^2)g(x^2) = 2x+1

2x^3g(x^2) = 2x+1

g(x^2) = \frac{1}{x^2} + \frac{1}{2x^3}


However, I know that this answer is wrong because the definite integral of this function (when substituted into the original equation) is not equal to x + x^2. I'm having difficulty identifying my error. Could someone please point me in the right direction? :)
 
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What did you put back into your integral for checking. You solved only down to g(##x^2##). Did you put that back in or g(x)? I got the right answer when I put in g(x).
 
I put g(x^2) back into the integral. How would I simplify g(x^2) to get g(x)? Would I square every expression for x in the equation (i.e x^2 and x^3)?
 
trulyfalse said:
I put g(x^2) back into the integral. How would I simplify g(x^2) to get g(x)? Would I square every expression for x in the equation (i.e x^2 and x^3)?

To break it into two steps: Let u = ##x^2## and figure out what g(u) is. Then since it doesn't matter what symbol you use the function g(u) is the same as g(x).

More directly, just stick an x in everywhere you have an ##x^2##.
 
Aha! Then U = sqr(x) and that can be substituted in the equation. Thanks brmath!
 

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